It’s been a tough start to the season for Oli Marmol, who has been on the wrong side of St. Louis Cardinals drama.
With another loss on Monday, the Cards fell to 7-10 on the season. It’s too early to say that Oli Marmol is on the hot seat — this is just his second season in St. Louis, after all — but Cardinals fans are an impatient bunch.
Despite the loss of Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina to retirement, the Cardinals have one of the more talented rosters in the National League. Starting pitching is an obvious hole, but St. Louis’ lineup can more than make up for it.
It’s a long season, so Marmol and Co. could make this article look silly by October. But for now, it’s not looking good, and Marmol is to blame for several early-season mistakes.
Cardinals: Oli Marmol challenged Tyler O’Neill
This one is obvious. Oli Marmol assumed that Tyler O’Neill wasn’t hustling around third base against the Atlanta Braves, which is why he was thrown out by Ronald Acuña Jr. at home plate. Yet, did it ever occur to Marmol that Acuña Jr. has a strong arm in right field?
Also, O’Neill has a history of leg injuries. In fact, he hasn’t played a full season in quite some time. Perhaps risking injury just a few games into the season isn’t worthwhile. Sure, it’s not the Cardinal way, but neither is sitting on the injured list when it can be avoided.
“He didn’t think I gave the best effort,” O’Neill said. “I’m out here every day grinding my ass off, giving it my all and trying to stay on the field for 160 games out here.”
Marmol doubled down, suggesting that O’Neill’s disagreement was “unacceptable”. Let’s hope it doesn’t create an early-season divide in the locker room.